If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog loves you for you or just because you’re the one holding the treats, science now has an answer that’s as heartwarming as it is surprising.
According to a groundbreaking study from Emory University, most dogs would rather receive your praise than a snack.
Yes, you read that right: your dog may value your affection more than prosciutto.
Neuroscientist Gregory Berns and his team conducted a first-of-its-kind study combining brain imaging with behavioral experiments.
Their findings suggest that the bond between humans and dogs goes far deeper than a Pavlovian response to food.
“We are trying to understand the basis of the dog-human bond and whether it’s mainly about food, or about the relationship itself,” Berns explains.
And the results are clear: out of 15 dogs studied, only two showed a preference for food over praise, while the majority either favored praise or valued both equally.
This revelation challenges long-held assumptions about why dogs are so loyal to humans. Spoiler: it’s not just about the kibble.
The Experiment
To test how dogs prioritize praise versus food, researchers devised a clever experiment involving objects, rewards, and brain scans.
They trained the dogs to associate three objects with three outcomes:
- A pink toy truck signaled a food reward.
- A blue toy knight indicated verbal praise from the owner.
- A hairbrush served as a neutral object with no reward.
Using an fMRI machine, the team recorded the dogs’ brain activity as they interacted with the objects. The results were illuminating:
- Four dogs showed stronger neural responses to praise than food.
- Two dogs demonstrated a preference for food.
- Nine dogs valued food and praise equally.
But the experiment didn’t stop there. To see how these brain patterns translated into behavior, the researchers introduced a Y-shaped maze.
One path led to food, while the other led to the dog’s owner (facing away to avoid influencing the dog’s choice).
The findings were striking: dogs that showed a stronger preference for praise in the brain scans chose their owners over food 80 to 90 percent of the time.
This suggests that the neural activity observed in the fMRI was a reliable predictor of behavior.
A Paradigm Shift in Understanding Dogs
For over a century, scientists have studied the relationship between humans and dogs.
Early 20th-century experiments by Ivan Pavlov famously demonstrated that dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sight of their owner, associating them with food.
This gave rise to the idea that dogs are primarily motivated by rewards, particularly food.
But Berns’ study offers a more nuanced perspective.
“One theory about dogs is that they are primarily Pavlovian machines: they just want food, and their owners are simply the means to get it,” Berns explains.
“Another, more current view of their behavior is that dogs value human contact in and of itself.”
This challenges the assumption that dogs’ loyalty is purely transactional.
Instead, it suggests that dogs form genuine emotional bonds with their owners, valuing interaction and praise as much as physical rewards.
The Emotional Lives of Dogs
The implications of this study go beyond academic curiosity—they’re a testament to the deep emotional lives of our canine companions.
Dogs, it turns out, aren’t just responding to us because we feed them; they’re responding because they care about us.
“Dogs value human contact in and of itself,” Berns emphasizes.
And while this study involved a relatively small sample size of 15 dogs, the findings align with what many dog lovers have long suspected: the bond between humans and dogs is built on mutual affection, not just convenience.
This connection likely evolved over thousands of years of domestication.
Dogs and humans have coexisted for millennia, and this partnership has shaped dogs into creatures uniquely attuned to human emotions and social cues.
What This Means for Dog Owners
So, how can you use this insight to deepen your bond with your furry friend? Here are a few key takeaways:
- Praise Matters: Verbal affirmation and physical affection can be just as meaningful as treats. Take the time to connect with your dog through positive reinforcement and attention.
- Balance Is Key: While praise is important, food rewards still have their place, especially in training contexts. The study found that many dogs value both equally.
- Understand Your Dog’s Preferences: Every dog is unique. Some may lean more heavily toward food motivation, while others prioritize affection. Observing your dog’s behavior can help you tailor your interactions.
The Bigger Picture
This study is a reminder of the complexity and depth of the dog-human relationship.
It challenges outdated notions of dogs as simple creatures motivated solely by food and highlights their capacity for emotional connection.
As Berns and his team continue their research, the hope is to better understand how these bonds form and evolve.
While this study is a small step, it opens the door to a greater appreciation of the emotional lives of dogs.
Until then, the next time you’re tempted to reach for a treat, consider offering a kind word and a belly rub instead.
Chances are, your dog will thank you—with a wagging tail and a heart full of love.
In a world where loyalty is often questioned, our dogs remind us that sometimes, the simplest gestures—like a kind word or a loving pat—carry the most weight.
After all, for most dogs, the bond they share with their humans is the greatest reward of all.
